Using the kill switch - mandatory?
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
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From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
Using the kill switch - mandatory?
OK, so I rented a '15 limited a week ago and the person who showed me the features on it was somewhat adamant about using the kill switch to turn off the engine first, and then turning off the ignition (key) switch, then reversing the procedure to start it.
I've never in my life used a kill switch on any bike I've ever owned, regardless of the brand, to routinely kill the engine and I not once did I remember to use that procedure when I turned the rental bike off and everything seemed to work just fine and as expected. For the record, I WOULD have used that procedure if I had remembered too, since it wasn't my bike.
Surely, just turning off the key-switch can't hurt anything, otherwise cars would have one. Am I wrong?
The fact that that person knew next to nothing about the bike and its systems and seemed to be reciting everything from rote memory gives me the feeling that I'm right, but I thought maybe checking with the experts here on the forum might prove otherwise.
I've never in my life used a kill switch on any bike I've ever owned, regardless of the brand, to routinely kill the engine and I not once did I remember to use that procedure when I turned the rental bike off and everything seemed to work just fine and as expected. For the record, I WOULD have used that procedure if I had remembered too, since it wasn't my bike.
Surely, just turning off the key-switch can't hurt anything, otherwise cars would have one. Am I wrong?
The fact that that person knew next to nothing about the bike and its systems and seemed to be reciting everything from rote memory gives me the feeling that I'm right, but I thought maybe checking with the experts here on the forum might prove otherwise.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 36
From: Lafayette La
[QUOTE=jpooch00;13913098]OK, so I rented a '15 limited a week ago and the person who showed me the features on it was somewhat adamant about using the kill switch to turn off the engine first, and then turning off the ignition (key) switch, then reversing the procedure to start it.
I try to use the kill-switch every time, never had a bad experience ether way...but have read that the a high idle issue will result if the engine is not at idle when the key-switch is turned of..i have not tried it my self.
I try to use the kill-switch every time, never had a bad experience ether way...but have read that the a high idle issue will result if the engine is not at idle when the key-switch is turned of..i have not tried it my self.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,857
Likes: 2,506
From: Lake Orion, MI
I am one of the guys that use the kill switch to turn the bike off.
For me, it is easier to turn off the bike with my hands on the bars and my finger on the kill switch - instead of removing my hand and turning the ignition key switch.
So, for me, it was just safer and easier. Still, to answer your question - if you can safely turn the bike off with the ignition switch, there is nothing wrong with that
For me, it is easier to turn off the bike with my hands on the bars and my finger on the kill switch - instead of removing my hand and turning the ignition key switch.
So, for me, it was just safer and easier. Still, to answer your question - if you can safely turn the bike off with the ignition switch, there is nothing wrong with that
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
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From: Wisconsin, USA
Here are 19 threads on kill switches:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/searc...rchid=28978220
I looked through some of the threads, and the only rational reason I saw for using the kill switch, is that you are covering the brake and clutch, when you use it. So it is a little safer than taking your hand off to kill with ignition switch.
I just kill switch out of habit.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/searc...rchid=28978220
I looked through some of the threads, and the only rational reason I saw for using the kill switch, is that you are covering the brake and clutch, when you use it. So it is a little safer than taking your hand off to kill with ignition switch.
I just kill switch out of habit.
Last edited by Ron750; Apr 13, 2015 at 10:00 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,532
Likes: 132
From: SoCal
I can almost guarantee that the insistence to use the kill switch is insurance related. As stated the riders hands never leave the bars to kill the motor. I never use the kill on a HD anymore but that doesn't make me right, it's just a habit I have due to using the kill one time and leaving the ignition on and ruining the battery. So now the ignition gets shut off to kill the motor because I am apparently too stupid to remember to do that after using the kill.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: UK
No option, on my 2014 CVO RK there is no ignition switch, only the kill switch. When the bike got delivered, the kill switch was faulty and wouldn't switch the engine off. Spent 5 weeks having to stall the bike to switch it off 
Took that long for a new switch to be delivered to the UK. Felt a right numpty.
Took that long for a new switch to be delivered to the UK. Felt a right numpty.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,580
From: Wisconsin, USA
I can almost guarantee that the insistence to use the kill switch is insurance related. As stated the riders hands never leave the bars to kill the motor. I never use the kill on a HD anymore but that doesn't make me right, it's just a habit I have due to using the kill one time and leaving the ignition on and ruining the battery. So now the ignition gets shut off to kill the motor because I am apparently too stupid to remember to do that after using the kill.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 45
From: Florida
Its my understanding that the kill switch is Federally mandated for motorcycles for safety reasons. I use it always first because its a habit and more convenient depending on what ride you are using. Not all bikes have the key switch easily accessible as most touring models.
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By ALWAYS using the kill switch, you develop a habit, and muscle memory.
From a SAFETY standpoint, it is better to kill the engine there, if there is ever an emergency that you need to shut the engine down fast, you won't have to take your hands off the bars or think about it.
The only drawback, and they may have fixed it by now, is if your hand has the throttle slightly turned, can cause the ECM to get confused, and begin idling higher. If you are sure to have the throttle at zero, there are no issues.
From a mechanical standpoint, you are not going to hurt anything by using the ignition switch.
From a SAFETY standpoint, it is better to kill the engine there, if there is ever an emergency that you need to shut the engine down fast, you won't have to take your hands off the bars or think about it.
The only drawback, and they may have fixed it by now, is if your hand has the throttle slightly turned, can cause the ECM to get confused, and begin idling higher. If you are sure to have the throttle at zero, there are no issues.
From a mechanical standpoint, you are not going to hurt anything by using the ignition switch.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
No option, on my 2014 CVO RK there is no ignition switch, only the kill switch. When the bike got delivered, the kill switch was faulty and wouldn't switch the engine off. Spent 5 weeks having to stall the bike to switch it off Took that long for a new switch to be delivered to the UK. Felt a right numpty.
Took that long for a new switch to be delivered to the UK. Felt a right numpty.